Kev Long completed 12 years of signing his first contract with us in January just gone. Who was the last player to complete 12 years or more as a pro here?
Of course his career here is even more remarkable as he rarely plays

Duff?

Yes you’re right. Long has another year on his contract though so let’s see…

I know there’s the whole argument that he will have earned a small fortune during his time with us. However, if you’re lucky enough to have the ability to play professionally (possibly at championship level, playing regularly) and having presumably worked hard to achieve that, would you not look back on a wasted career, playing a handful of games for us?

He’s done OK for us when called upon but for me he’s sat on easy street and wasted the career that he could have had.

Could have been a very solid CH for a Championship/League 1 side with game time. When he did go out on loan he was very good. Amazed he has been with us two years longer than Ben Mee but only played a few games for our First 11. For me it shows a lack of ambition.

warksclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:57 pm

Could have been a very solid CH for a Championship/League 1 side with game time. When he did go out on loan he was very good. Amazed he has been with us two years longer than Ben Mee but only played a few games for our First 11. For me it shows a lack of ambition.

Should have gone when his last contract ran out, in my opinion.

warksclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:57 pm

Could have been a very solid CH for a Championship/League 1 side with game time. When he did go out on loan he was very good. Amazed he has been with us two years longer than Ben Mee but only played a few games for our First 11. For me it shows a lack of ambition.

Maybe he is happy in his job here, he will be earning good money. Does he possibly have a family that are settled in the area?

DCWat wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:53 pm

I know there’s the whole argument that he will have earned a small fortune during his time with us. However, if you’re lucky enough to have the ability to play professionally (possibly at championship level, playing regularly) and having presumably worked hard to achieve that, would you not look back on a wasted career, playing a handful of games for us?

He’s done OK for us when called upon but for me he’s sat on easy street and wasted the career that he could have had.

I sit on the front row of the Bob Lord where the subs warm up and it is commented on every week when Long trots along infront of us that he is earning another £xx,xxx without putting his shin pads on and putting a shift in. No doubt a millionaire and barely kicked a ball in anger. I suppose in what context you look back on your life?

longsidetrumpet wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 7:42 pm

Kev Long completed 12 years of signing his first contract with us in January just gone. Who was the last player to complete 12 years or more as a pro here?
Of course his career here is even more remarkable as he rarely plays

That’s a good question. It’s a long time. Jim Thomson did over twelve and a half years from October 1968 to May 1981. I’m sure there has to be someone since then though.

I thought Alan Stevenson but he was just eleven and a half years.

tybfc wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:01 pm

I sit on the front row of the Bob Lord where the subs warm up and it is commented on every week when Long trots along infront of us that he is earning another £xx,xxx without putting his shin pads on and putting a shift in. No doubt a millionaire and barely kicked a ball in anger. I suppose in what context you look back on your life?

I sometimes say 'I feel sorry for Kevin Long' and my Mrs says 'Well you're still working to pay off your mortgage, do you still feel sorry for him?'

tybfc wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:01 pm

I sit on the front row of the Bob Lord where the subs warm up and it is commented on every week when Long trots along infront of us that he is earning another £xx,xxx without putting his shin pads on and putting a shift in. No doubt a millionaire and barely kicked a ball in anger. I suppose in what context you look back on your life?

Yeah it’s of course an each to their own thing. I can only dream of having such an opportunity but as an outsider looking in, I think he’s wasted his career.

If money is all that matters, he’s possibly made a good choice although there are plenty of Championship clubs that pay silly enough money for him to have had the best of both worlds, had he had the ambition / opportunity / self belief.

What a complete and utter waste of a career

DCWat wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:08 pm

Yeah it’s of course an each to their own thing. I can only dream of having such an opportunity but as an outsider looking in, I think he’s wasted his career.

If money is all that matters, he’s possibly made a good choice although there are plenty of Championship clubs that pay silly enough money for him to have had the best of both worlds, had he had the ambition / opportunity / self belief.

It’s a rarer thing these days but I remember talking to Bob Taylor (actually Jack/John but the names were taken when he signed) and he spent his entire career playing backup in the reserves. He was offered a few moves but the thought of leaving Burnley horrified him. He adored being around the place…

He is clearly a man Sean wants about, maybe Sean sees him as another Roy Evans. I have nothing but respect for the lad.

Mmmm…getting paid to do a job you enjoy, while showing the skills, flexibility and team ethos that keep you in that job - well done, Kevin.

boatshed bill wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:59 pm

Should have gone when his last contract ran out, in my opinion.

Problem is, a team needs four CBs. Mee and Tarks are automatic picks when fit. We need competent back up who aren't going to rock the boat when they aren't playing.

Jimmy Adamson and John Angus both did 17 years, the latter leaving in 1971. I’m thinking that might have been it for long servers before Duff and Long

Angus that is

He’s paid to do a job, when he asked to do his job he’s done it appropriately and without fuss. If we get an injury to one of our defenders, he will step up, be dependable and do the job he is paid to do.

boatshed bill wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:59 pm

Should have gone when his last contract ran out, in my opinion.

Are you sure?

He has been loyal to this Club and we've been loyal to him.

Well done Kevin. Well done Sean Dyche

When I started watching Burnley there was a player called Jimmy Scott who was ‘captain of the reserves’. As a kid I used to think if he’s the captain, why does he never play in the first team?
Just looked him up, at the club 1951-61, three first team appearances. Very Kevin Long-esque. And he’s still alive at 87!

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:01 pm

That’s a good question. It’s a long time. Jim Thomson did over twelve and a half years from October 1968 to May 1981. I’m sure there has to be someone since then though.

I thought Alan Stevenson but he was just eleven and a half years.

How long was Paul Wellers career, thought that was fairly long???

Lowbankclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:35 pm

How long was Paul Wellers career, thought that was fairly long???

It would probably have reached double figures as a pro but not as long as Long

longsidetrumpet wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:22 pm

Jimmy Adamson and John Angus both did 17 years, the latter leaving in 1971. I’m thinking that might have been it for long servers before Duff and Long

John Angus retired (following injury) at the end of 1971/72 season…his testimonial played May 1973 following the Clarets crowned as Division 2 champions
(his last appearance for the 1st team was at the beginning of the ‘71/72 season.
John sadly died last summer

A very very strange career

longsidetrumpet wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:28 pm

When I started watching Burnley there was a player called Jimmy Scott who was ‘captain of the reserves’. As a kid I used to think if he’s the captain, why does he never play in the first team?
Just looked him up, at the club 1951-61, three first team appearances. Very Kevin Long-esque. And he’s still alive at 87!

He played one game in 1955 and two in 1961. I saw him play once in the first team and that was when we played ten reserves against Chelsea.

England schoolboy international I think who didn’t quite make the step up. But he would have played a lot of reserve games which squad players don’t now.

longsidetrumpet wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:22 pm

Jimmy Adamson and John Angus both did 17 years, the latter leaving in 1971. I’m thinking that might have been it for long servers before Duff and Long

I’ve mentioned Jim Thomson who was here for 12 years and 7 months. Released at end of 1980/81.

For the sake of argument, let's just say he's AVERAGED £20k per week over those 12 yrs.
That equals £12m.
Assuming he hasn't squandered it, he's made for life.
He's obv happy or he would've gone by now so I say "Hats off" Kev !!
Enjoy life after BFC.

My dream job, fair play to the lad, he’s got life sussed.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:46 pm

I’ve mentioned Jim Thomson who was here for 12 years and 7 months. Released at end of 1980/81.

Of course

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:44 pm

He played one game in 1955 and two in 1961. I saw him play once in the first team and that was when we played ten reserves against Chelsea

cost us a whole £1000 fine in ‘62

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:41 pm

It would probably have reached double figures as a pro but not as long as Long

1993 to 2004 apparently.

How long did Brian Miller do ?

Did we draw four all?

alf_resco wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:46 pm

For the sake of argument, let's just say he's AVERAGED £20k per week over those 12 yrs.

I’d be surprised if he’s ever had a contract that size.

Either way I’m sure he’s done well for himself financially.

Funkydrummer wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:02 pm

How long did Brian Miller do ?

1954-1967

levraiclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:05 pm

Did we draw four all?

Yes

Cheers for that lst.

At the end of the day, being fourth choice centre back for Burnley isn’t a massive draw for players. We’d struggle to get a young lad with any ambition to do it as they know they’ll never progress etc. There’s a big argument based on what I have seen that Bobby Thomas should be our fourth choice these days though.

Also, worth saying that Long did start 16 games in the Premier League the season we finished 7th. He’s definitely ‘done a job’ relatively speaking on his rare appearances. I’d happily keep him on modest terms for another few seasons as a backup in a crisis. Dyche clearly respects him and his attitude too or he’d be long gone (pardon the pun).

longsidetrumpet wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:07 pm

Yes

Those were the days we play ten reserves against Chelsea, let in four and don't lose.

Happy Clapper Heaven.

RalphCoatesComb wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:26 pm

Are you sure?

He has been loyal to this Club and we've been loyal to him.

Well done Kevin. Well done Sean Dyche

Yes, i'm sure.

it's my opinion that the squad members not playing should be pushing those in their position. Competition for the starting spot improves performance.
but I'm not blaming Kevin Long, best of luck to him.

I note he’s had 17 Ireland caps since making his debut in 2017.

He’s probably had as many caps in those 5 years as he has made starts for us.

agreenwood wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:24 pm

I note he’s had 17 Ireland caps since making his debut in 2017.

He’s probably had as many caps in those 5 years as he has made starts for us.

Amazingly 55 league starts for us in total

https://www.uptheclarets.com/players/ap ... als-l-to-m

levraiclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:05 pm

Did we draw four all?

We did

Report:
https://www.uptheclarets.com/turf-moor- ... on-chelsea

If he has had sound financial advice

He's no doubt a multi millionaire

How many of us can say that

We call the home bench “The Kevin Long Stand”.

Let’s work on the basis of the £12m wages we may of paid him….

How much would it of cost in transfer fees alone for a back up CF, maybe 6 times over the last 12 years? How much did Gibson actually cost us?

Regardless of anyones opinion around his ambition, he has been a very loyal servant for the club and always there when needed. No moaning, no issues.

Thanks Kevin

UTC

jojomk1 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:35 pm

If he has had sound financial advice

He's no doubt a multi millionaire

How many of us can say that

There are several posters.

Burnleyareback2 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:20 pm

Let’s work on the basis of the £12m wages we may of paid him….

How much would it of cost in transfer fees alone for a back up CF, maybe 6 times over the last 12 years? How much did Gibson actually cost us?

Regardless of anyones opinion around his ambition, he has been a very loyal servant for the club and always there when needed. No moaning, no issues.

Thanks Kevin

UTC

He has stuck by the club and they have stuck by him. He deserves the market force wages he has been paid. I suggest it will be way above 12 million.

Football’s a squad game and Long has been a good squad player during a successful period for the club. Those questioning his lack of ambition are showing a lack of respect for a player who has never let us down when called upon. He’s no doubt achieved more in his career than any of you and will have made a lot of sacrifices along the way.

Someone said it’s a waste of a career. Absolutely laughable comment. Premier League and international footballer. I’d like to know how you haven’t wasted your career.

If I remember correctly he scored one of the goals in a crucial win against Leicester at the back end of 17/18 when it was basically us or them for the last European slot.